Behind the Bastards: Part One - The Grifters Behind The Fake Autism 'Cure' Industry

Release Date: April 1, 2025 | Behind the Bastards by Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

1. Introduction to the Dark Side of Autism Cures

In this harrowing episode, host Robert Evans delves deep into the perilous world of fraudulent autism "cures." He underscores the tragic consequences of misguided treatments that masquerade as solutions but often result in devastating outcomes for vulnerable children.

Notable Quote:

Robert Evans [04:13]: "We're gonna talk about the history of quack snake oil cures that kill children in an attempt to cure them of autism."

2. The Tragic Case of Thomas Cooper

Robert narrates the heartbreaking story of Thomas Cooper, a five-year-old diagnosed with ADHD and sleep apnea. Thomas was subjected to hyperbaric therapy—a legitimate medical treatment when properly administered—but at the Oxford Center, critical safety protocols were blatantly ignored. As a result, Thomas was engulfed in flames within a hyperbaric chamber due to a spark from improper attire, leading to his immediate and fatal ignition.

Key Points:

• Safety Failures: The Oxford Center neglected essential safety measures, such as maintenance checks, having licensed technicians, and ensuring patients wore grounding straps.
• CEO's Negligence: Tamela Peterson, the CEO, fled the scene and attempted to erase evidence, further demonstrating her irresponsibility.
• Fatal Outcome: Thomas died instantly, and his mother suffered third-degree burns while trying to rescue him.

Notable Quote:

Robert Evans [13:34]: "His last moments of life were being engulfed in flames and perishing in front of his mother."

3. Historical Context: Autism Diagnosis and the Biomedical Movement

Robert provides a comprehensive overview of how autism has been historically misunderstood. Initially misclassified alongside conditions like psychosis and schizophrenia, autism was wrongly attributed to parental neglect—a misconception propagated by figures like Bruno Bettelheim. This stigma fueled a desperate search for "cures," giving rise to the biomedical movement that prioritizes unverified treatments over scientific evidence.

Key Points:

• Evolution of Diagnosis: Until the 1980s, autism was often misdiagnosed, leading to widespread stigma and misplaced blame on parents.
• Shift in Understanding: Modern perspectives view autism as a developmental condition rather than a psychiatric illness, reducing parental stigma but not eliminating the desperate quest for cures.
• Rise of Biomedical Activism: Influenced by flawed diagnostic frameworks, activists began promoting treatments like chelation therapy and hyperbaric chambers, ignoring scientific consensus.

Notable Quote:

Robert Evans [22:54]: "Autism has been considered like a disease... treated as if it's like a plague."

4. The Rise and Collapse of Secretin as a 'Miracle Cure'

Secretin, a hormone initially utilized to stimulate digestive fluids, was touted as a groundbreaking treatment for autism after anecdotal reports suggested dramatic improvements in children. Media outlets quickly amplified these claims, showcasing sensational before-and-after videos. However, subsequent rigorous double-blind studies unequivocally demonstrated Secretin's ineffectiveness, leading to its decline in popularity.

Key Points:

• Initial Hype: Secretin was hyped based on limited and unscientific studies, leading to widespread parental adoption despite lack of evidence.
• Scientific Rejection: Multiple clinical trials failed to validate Secretin's efficacy, revealing it as an ineffective treatment.
• Financial and Emotional Toll: Families invested substantial resources into futile treatments, experiencing both financial strain and emotional devastation.

Notable Quote:

Robert Evans [56:22]: "Within six months, a double-blind study of 60 children had come to very different conclusions. Secretin was at best useless."

5. Emergence of Chelation Therapy and the Death of Tariq Nadama

Building upon the discredited Secretin craze, the biomedical movement shifted focus to chelation therapy—a legitimate treatment for heavy metal poisoning but grossly misapplied to children with autism. Tariq Nadama's tragic death epitomizes the lethal consequences of such misuse.

Key Points:

• Misapplication of Chelation: Intended for heavy metal detoxification, chelation was wrongly prescribed to autistic children without evidence of metal poisoning.
• Tariq's Story: At just five years old, Tariq underwent aggressive chelation treatments, including dangerous rapid IV infusions while being restrained, leading to his death from cerebral hypoxic ischemic injury.
• Regulatory Failures: The practitioners involved lacked proper oversight, and despite clear negligence, legal repercussions were minimal.

Notable Quote:

Robert Evans [77:16]: "He was shotgunning hours worth of medication into his body and his 5-year-old body in 5 to 10 minutes while he's strapped to a board."

6. Key Figures and Organizations in the Fraudulent Cure Industry

The episode sheds light on pivotal actors within the biomedical movement, including:

• Bernard Rimland: Founder of the Autism Research Institute, Rimland initially sought to counter the blame placed on parents but later became entangled in anti-vaccine rhetoric.
• Sue Palmer and Kenneth Bach: Early proponents who conflated autism with other developmental disorders, expanding the target demographic for unverified treatments.
• Dr. Anju Usman: A disillusioned physician whose personal tragedies led her to promote dangerous treatments like chelation therapy, directly contributing to Tariq Nadama's death.

Notable Quote:

Robert Evans [41:08]: "The physicians who were interested in Dan were not, as a rule, people in the prime of their career functioning within their chief area of medical compass."

7. Conclusion: The Devastating Impact of Pseudoscience on Vulnerable Families

Robert Evans concludes by emphasizing the dire consequences of the pseudo-medical practices promoted by the biomedical movement. Families, driven by fear and misinformation, fall prey to exploitative treatments that promise hope but deliver tragedy. The episode serves as a stark warning against the allure of unproven "cures" and the paramount importance of adhering to evidence-based medical practices.

Notable Quote:

Robert Evans [56:22]: "Parents may feel helpless... the worst thing you can do is try to go be a hero and add a casualty to the situation."

Final Thoughts

"Part One: The Grifters Behind The Fake Autism 'Cure' Industry" is a sobering exploration of how fear and misinformation can lead to catastrophic outcomes. By exposing the unethical practices of certain individuals and organizations, the episode advocates for informed medical choices and the protection of vulnerable children from dangerous, unproven treatments.

Note: Timestamps correspond to the transcript provided and may vary slightly based on the final podcast editing.